Choosing and owning a pet

Ask yourself these key questions:

Lifestyle

• Can you commit for 10 to 20 years?
• Do you have time daily for feeding, exercise, and play?
• Who will care for your pet when you're away?
• Does your landlord allow pets (if renting)?

Home and budget

• Do you have enough space and a secure yard?
• Can you afford registration, vet bills, and food?
• Can you pay for unexpected emergencies?

Household

• How will current pets react?
• Does anyone have allergies?
• Is everyone ready for this commitment?

Research breeds carefully. Consider:

• Size - Will they fit your home and yard?
• Exercise needs - Can you provide daily activity?
• Grooming - Time for brushing or professional grooming?
• Temperament - Suits your lifestyle and family?
• Health - Breed-specific medical issues?

Puppies vs older pets

• Puppies need three to four feeds daily, constant supervision, and training.
• Older pets are calmer, often already trained.
• If you work full-time, consider an adult pet.

Download

• NSW Government: Checklist for buying or adopting a puppy

One-time costs

Estimated costs are:

• Purchase/adoption fee: $150 - $2,000, or more
• Microchipping: $60 - $80
• Desexing: $200 - $500
• Lifetime registration (2026 financial year):
  • Dog: $80 (desexed) or $269 (not desexed)
  • Dog: Annual permit (for dangerous/restricted dog): $236
  • Cat: $70
  • Cat: Annual permit (not desexed by 4 months of age): $99
  • Desexed dog or cat adopted at Council pound, shelter, or an approved rehoming organisation: $0.

Annual costs

• Food: $600 - $2,000 (depending on quality)
• Vaccinations: $140 upwards
• Flea/tick prevention: $200 - $400
• Heartworm prevention: Up to $250
• Pet insurance: $400 - $1,200
• Grooming: $40 - $200 each visit (depending on breed)

Emergency costs

• Unexpected vet bills can reach $1,000 to $5,000, or more.

Only buy from ethical, registered breeders.

Do your research

• Visit the breeder's property in person.
• Meet the puppy/kitten's mother.
• Check living conditions are clean and spacious.
• Ask for health checks and vaccination records.
• Verify they follow the Animal Welfare Code of Practice.
• Use RSPCA's Smart Puppy Buyer's Guide.
• Use the Department of Primary Industry's checklist for buying a puppy.

Puppy farms breed dogs in cruel conditions for profit. Avoid them by watching for these red flags:

• They won't let you visit where the puppies live.
• They can't show you the mother.
• They have multiple breeds for sale.
• Puppies are younger than eight weeks.
• They meet in parking lots or public places.
• Make sure you follow the Animal Welfare Code of Practice.
• You can also use RSPCA's Smart Puppy Buyer's Guide.

You must:

• microchip your dog or cat by 12 weeks of age
• register with Council by 12 weeks
• update your pet's details when you move
• register or update your pet's details.

Fines apply if you don't follow these requirements.

Desexed pets:

• live longer, healthier lives
• are calmer and less aggressive
• cost less to register ($80 versus $269)
• won't create unwanted litters.

Dogs

• Your dog must stay on your property.
• Walk your dog on-leash (except off-leash areas).
• It's illegal to let your dog wander.

Cats

• Keep your cat inside at night (dusk to dawn).
• Don't let your cat trespass on neighbours' property.

Read more

• How to keep your cat safe at home

Pick up dog poo straight away.

Fines apply if you don't clean up after your dog.

Your dog must not disturb neighbours.

• Learn more about barking

Urban area

• Two adult dogs and one litter of pups up to six months old.
• Four cats.

Rural area

• Four adult dogs and one litter of pups up to six months old.
• Four cats.

Learn more

• Local Orders Policy - Keeping of Animals (388.7 KB)

If your pet dies, let us know within 28 days by:

• Phone: 02 4474 1019
  or
• Email: enviro.services@esc.nsw.gov.au.

Your pet needs:

• fresh water always available
• quality food for their age/size
• exercise and play
• regular grooming
• clean, comfortable bedding
• weather protection
• love and attention.

• Book regular vet check-ups.
• Keep vaccinations current.
• Watch for illness signs (behaviour changes, not eating, vomiting).

Tick season: Typically October to March

Paralysis ticks can kill your pet within days.

Protect your pet:

• Check daily for ticks (head, neck, ears).
• Use vet-recommended prevention.
• See a vet straight away if you find a tick.
• Learn to identify and remove ticks.

Start training your pet early:

• Well-trained pets are safer and happier.
• Consider puppy school or obedience classes.

Teach children to:

• approach slowly, let the dog sniff their hand
• stand still if approached by strange dogs
• never disturb sleeping or eating dogs
• always ask the dog owner's permission before they touch the dog.

Always supervise young children with pets.

• Year-round (May to October): Dogs allowed anytime.
• Timeshare (Nov to April): Before 9am and after 5pm only.
• Prohibited: Some beaches don't allow dogs.

View our map

• See our interactive dog beach and exercise area map

When walking your dog:

• keep your dog on-leash (except off-leash areas)
• clean up your dog's poo
• keep your dog away from wildlife
• keep your dog under effective control.

Rangers can fine you if your dog is not under control.

• Learn more about dog walking dos and don'ts

Dogs that have attacked people/animals or restricted breeds must:

• be desexed, microchipped, and registered
• live in an approved enclosure
• wear a muzzle outside the enclosure
• wear distinctive red and yellow striped collar
• be handled by adults only (over 18 years).

The annual permit fee for a dangerous or menacing dog is $236.

Learn more

• Dangerous and menacing dogs

Report a dog attack

• Complete our online form to report a dog attack

• Step 1: Talk to your neighbour calmly.
• Step 2: If that fails, contact Council's rangers.
  • Phone: 02 4474 1019
  • Email: enviro.services@esc.nsw.gov.au